Technion to invest $88m in nanotech research center
Of the total, $26 million will come from the Russell Berrie
Foundation, and a matching $26 million from the Chief Scientist.
by David Hayoun
Globes
February 6, 2005
The Technion - Israel Institute of Technology has announced
that it will found a nanotechnology research institute with
donations totaling $88 million. $52 million of this sum has
already been guaranteed: the New Jersey-based Russell
Berrie Foundation has donated $26 million, and, urged by
Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor
Dr. Eli Opper, the government has added $26 million.
The Technion will raise an additional $26 million over the
next five years from donors who are members of Technion
friendship societies around the world. Prof. Uri Sivan, one of
the world’s best-known nanotechnology researchers, will head
the new center, which will be one of the largest in the world.
”The Technion’s status as a major world leader in this field
significantly influenced our decision,” said Russel Berrie
Foundation president Angelica Berrie, who visited Israel for
the announcement of the center. “Existing developments in
nanotechnology can offer hope to people around the world,
and suit our missions support in activities that can significantly
and positively influence the lives of others.”
Nanotechnology scientists use building blocks measured in
nanometers objects with a maximum thickness of one hundred
thousandth of a hair. Nanotechnology is already responsible
for development of many products, including medical diagnostic
equipment and new light sources, which have extensive
commercial and military applications.
Possible future nanotechnology applications include smaller
and faster computers that those currently in existence;
lightweight materials many times stronger than steel;
nanotechnology robots that can travel in the human bloodstream
and treat diseases; and materials that can filter microbes,
viruses, and toxins from water.
Over 50 Technion groups, with 200 research students and
50 post-doctoral students, are carrying out pioneering work
in nano-science and nanotechnology in interdisciplinary
contexts, including biotechnology, communications, aerospace,
and materials engineering. Their work is likely to lead to
development of technology that will make it possible to
develop nano-computers that build themselves, effective
treatments for serious diseases, and new means of combating
terrorism.
Technion president Yitzhak Apeloig said that the current
donation by the Russel Berrie Foundation, together with other
donations, would enable the Technion to recruit top-level
researchers from around the world, expand its research and
teaching infrastructure, and continue acquiring the
state-of-the-art equipment it needed. The donations will also
pay for research grants.
”The Technion is a hotbed of cutting-edge developments in
nanotechnology, partly because we are highly interdisciplinary
in our research and teaching,” said Technion President
Yitzhak Apeloig. “This was exemplified by our two Nobel
winners this year, who are members of the Faculty of Medicine
but received the prize in chemistry. Our nanotechnology
researchers span disciplines from physics and engineering
to chemistry, biology and medicine.”
”We’re extremely honored to have the Russell Berrie Foundation
and the Government of Israel recognize the Technion’s important
role in the world of nanotechnology research,” added American
Technion Society president Dr. Stephen A. Laser. “This gift
will advance the amazing breakthroughs in this futuristic
science and will ensure the Technion’s place at the forefront
of nanotechnology in Israel and the world.”
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il
- on February 6, 2005